Silverswift Dive and Snorkel Great Barrier Reef Cruise
Overview
Available languages
10 hours
Mobile ticket
View the colorful underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef on this full-day trip from Cairns. Whether you are a snorkeler or a scuba diver, experienced or a novice, this snorkel and dive cruise from Cairns is the perfect day out on the Great Barrier Reef. Visiting three different dive sites you'll discover the abundant marine life and diversity of coral which the Great Barrier Reef is world-famous for. This experience is best suited to people who are confident in the water.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Minimum age for all diving activities is 12 years. Medical conditions apply and some people may require a doctor’s certificate to participate in scuba diving..
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
After a single scuba dive a wait of 12 hours is recommended before ascending to an altitude of 300 metres or greater. If doing multiple dives an interval of 24 hours is suggested.
Ceritified Diving: Certified divers must possess an internationally recognised SCUBA certificate card.
Please confirm your booking at least 24 hours prior to travel.
During July and August 2025, Silverswift may be operated by our vessel, Poseidon, which differs from the vessel pictured on this site.
All participants will be required to complete a health questionnaire onboard prior to diving. Some pre-existing medical conditions (eg asthma, heart conditions, etc) may prevent you from diving, please consult your doctor.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Use of Prescription masks
Buffet lunch
Professional guide
Environmental Management Charge (EMC)
Use of Snorkelling equipment
Choice of snorkeling, introductory or certified diving (option selected at time of booking)
Use of dive equipment (if option selected)
Morning and afternoon tea
Snorkel tour with reef guide
Drinks
Gratuities
Wet suit hire for snorkelers (approximately AUD $12.00)
Optional activities (if options not selected)
Hotel pickup and drop-off
What To Expect
Silverswift Dive & Snorkel
Your day begins as you board the boat at Marlin Wharf. The ultra modern 29 meter catamaran will be your base for the day. Throughout the day you'll visit three different locations which may include Thetford, Milln and Flynn Reef. Each stop showcases a different aspect of the beautiful Great Barrier Reef. At each site you have the choice to snorkel, dive or a combination of both. We recommend you book this reef trip on your first full available day. You then have the opportunity to be flexible and change your travel date if you wish. Your booking can be changed at no additional cost directly with the operator once you are in Cairns. Prebook and secure your booking, but relax in knowing you can make amendments at no charge.
Great Barrier Reef
Snorkel or dive at some of the best known dive sites off Cairns such as Flynn, Milln and Thetford reefs for their abundance of marine life. The sites offer excellent wall dives, swim-throughs and overhangs, great for both novice and experienced divers. you can expect to see an abundance of fish species, hard corals such as staghorn, table, plate and boulder coral, and many species of soft corals.
Options
One Introductory Dive
Minimum Age 13 - Intro Dive: 5 hrs on the Outer Great Barrier Reef, visiting 3 sites. Includes 1 introductory dive, buffet lunch, snorkel & dive gear. MIN
Two Introductory Dives
5 hrs on the Outer Great Barrier Reef, visiting 3 sites. Includes 2 introductory dives, buffet lunch, snorkel & dive gear
Snorkeling Only
5 hrs on the Outer Great Barrier Reef, visiting 3 sites. Includes guided snorkel tour, buffet lunch & snorkel gear
Three Certified Dives
Certification Required: Certified divers must possess an internationally recognised SCUBA certificate card
Minimum Age 13 - 3 Cert Dives: 5 hrs on the Outer Great Barrier Reef, visiting 3 sites. Includes 3 certified dives, buffet lunch, snorkel & dive gear
One Certified Dive
Certification Required: Certified divers must possess an internationally recognised SCUBA certificate card.
Min Age 13 -One Certified Dive: 5 hrs on the Outer Great Barrier Reef, visiting 3 sites. Includes 1 certified dive, buffet lunch, snorkel & dive gear
Two Certified Dives
5 hrs on the Outer Great Barrier Reef, visiting 3 sites. Includes 2 certified dives, buffet lunch, snorkel & dive gear
Proof of Certification Needed: Certified divers must possess an internationally recognised SCUBA certificate card.
Reviews
403 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
So much to see!
VegardSberg K,
Aug 1, 2025
- Viator
5.00Everything went smoothly with checking-in and boarding. Due to the weather we only went to two different sites at the reef, but we had plenty of time to do two “dives” at the first site if we wanted to. We saw a lot of different sea creatures, including a shark, stingray and a turtle! The sites at the reef were wisely chosen for snorkeling, as they were close to the surface. We have scuba dived before, but didn’t feel the need as you were on the same depth as most of the fish. A bonus was lunch was very good, especially the Japanese curry! The staff were friendly and informative, and made sure everyone had a good time. If you go during winter I would recommend bringing some spare warm clothes or extra towels as it got pretty cold after snorkeling. The water was 25 degrees, so we didn’t get cold while snorkeling, just after.
Everything is great but the price of the photos
Samuel M,
Jul 26, 2025
- Viator
4.00Amazing tour, so much fun and the staff were incredible. Very attentive, friendly and helpful. It's just a shame they charge so much for pictures. $86 for 3 pictures is pretty disrespectful considering how much the experience costs. Otherwise it's great!
A great day lots of marine life!
Nadia A,
Jul 20, 2025
- Viator
5.00We had a great time! Booked the introductory dive. Please if you get sea sick don’t be brave take a motion sickness tablet. It was a bit rough on the way out (being a seafarer it wasn’t rough for me at all). The team encouraged guests to come and get motion sickness tablets several times before starting off and I kid you not over half the boat was vomiting. I’ve never seen so many vomit bags being given out and I worked on ship! Vomit all over the bow of the boat the poor crew who have to clean that up. Anyway! Do yourself a favour and take the antisickness. We went to all three outer reef dive sites. We were all split into groups for our dives ours being the second site which I thought was probably the best to dive in due to the towers of coral. The dive was safe although a bit rushed compared to some of the other intro dives I have done in other countries. We also couldn’t swim independently we had to hold hands and the instructor held on to two people. Which again I understand as we spent 10 minutes going over skills. They had a professional photographer which was great although warning expensive. 1 digital photo $36. He took such good ones we couldn’t not buy the five best ones he took of us for $106 but you get 30 reef pictures included in that and its all air dropped to you there and then. The first dive site was our favourite. We saw a 1.5m long reef shark then a ray and all these cute squid. There was just so much to see and explore. None of the sites we went to were crowded it was just our boat at every site which was really nice! Toilet on board was the cleanest marine toilet I have ever used. All these cute squid staff and super friendly and informative. Food was amazing and just kept coming. Cheese focaccia sandwiches and muffins for morning tea. Pork curry and veg and chickpea curry (which was amazing), prawns, chicken drumsticks, plain salad, greek salad, pasta salad, bread rolls and fruit for lunch. Afternoon tea the best chocolate cake I have had for a while! Carrot cake and cheese and biscuits. They also had water refill. Very well organised day. Lots of space on the boat never felt too crowded. Cherry on top seeing a humpback whale on the boat trip back to Cairns! Would definitely recommend booking! Thank you.
It was fabulous, highly...
Rebecca D,
Jul 14, 2025
- Viator
5.00It was fabulous, highly recommend this trip for both diving & snorkeling. It was very well organized.
Great way to check off a bucket item!
Melanie H,
Jul 11, 2025
- Viator
5.00Fun day! Love that we went to 3 sites - each with different things to see. The last stop was the best on our tour, so be sure to not give up on the cold waters! Yes, the reef is not as vibrant as advertised in all the ads for Australia, but it was still great to see the shelves of reef, the many types of corals, and the sharks (no turtles this tour, but they do see them sometimes). The crew was great & safety was top priority. My mom & I snorkeled while my son scuba dived. Loved that this felt like a higher quality cruise, so not a hundred kids running crazy or tons of flippers in your face. Very well organized, highly recommend!
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Operated by The Quicksilver Group